Display apparatus and control method thereof

ABSTRACT

A display apparatus and a control method thereof are provided. The display apparatus displays first image data, received from a computer through a first interface, and second image data, received from the computer through a second interface, together. Accordingly, a single monitor can display image data from two or more interfaces together when the monitor receives image data from a single computer through the two or more interfaces.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 12/202,671 filedSep. 2, 2008 (now allowed), which application claims priority fromKorean Patent Application No. 10-2007-0102765, filed on Oct. 11, 2007 inthe Korean Intellectual Property Office, the disclosures of each ofwhich are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

Apparatuses and methods consistent with the present invention relate toa display apparatus and a control method thereof, and more particularly,to an apparatus which displays image signals input from a computerthrough a plurality of interfaces, and a control method thereof.

2. Description of the Related Art

As computers have become widely used, two or more monitors are nowcommonly used to display different images. When a user performs jobsusing two or more windows on only a single monitor, the user must closeone window to view another window, resulting in inconvenience.Accordingly, it is now possible for a user to perform jobs by connectingtwo monitors to a single computer and displaying different windows oneach monitor. As a result, inconvenience resulting from the need toclose one window to view another window has been removed, but the burdenof purchasing two monitors is another problem.

Recently, many widescreen monitors have been released. Monitorsgenerally have an aspect ratio (horizontal length to vertical length) of4:3, and widescreen monitors generally have an aspect ratio of 16:9. Thehorizontal length with respect to the vertical length of widescreenmonitors is longer than that of general monitors. Accordingly, if awindow having the same size as a window displayed on a general monitoris displayed on a widescreen monitor, extra space on the monitor whichis not occupied by the window can be utilized.

Accordingly, it is easier for the user to perform jobs by opening two ormore windows simultaneously. However, there is a problem of adjustingthe size and location of the windows in order for each window not tooverlap with other windows.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Exemplary embodiments of the present invention address at least theabove problems and/or disadvantages and other disadvantages notdescribed above. Also, the present invention is not required to overcomethe disadvantages described above, and an exemplary embodiment of thepresent invention may not overcome any of the problems described above.

The present invention provides a display apparatus which is able todisplay each image data together when a single monitor receives imagedata from a single computer through two or more interfaces.

The present invention also provides a display apparatus which is able todisplay each image data together when a single monitor receives imagedata from two or more computers through their interfaces.

The present invention also provides a display apparatus which is able toindividually perform scaling of image data and display the image datatogether when a single monitor receives image data from an externaldevice through two or more interfaces.

The present invention also provides a control method for displaying eachimage data together when image data are received from at least onecomputer through two or more interfaces.

According to one exemplary aspect of the present invention, there isprovided a display apparatus which receives image data from a computer,the display apparatus including a display unit, a first interfacethrough which first image data are received from the computer, a secondinterface through which second image data are received from thecomputer, a signal processing unit which processes the first image dataand the second image data to be displayed, and a control unit whichcontrols the display unit to display the first image data and the secondimage data together.

The display apparatus may further include a combining unit whichselectively transmits at least one of the processed first image data andthe processed second image data to the display unit.

If the first image data and the second image data are received together,the control unit may control the display unit to display the first imagedata and the second image data together, and if only one of the firstimage data and the second image data are received, the control unitcontrols the display unit to display the received image data.

The display apparatus may further include a first storage unit whichstores information regarding a resolution for an area for displaying thefirst image data, wherein the information stored in the storage unit istransmitted to the computer using display data channel (DDC)communication.

The display apparatus may further include a second storage unit whichstores information regarding a resolution for an area for displaying thesecond image data, wherein the information stored in the storage unit istransmitted to the computer using DDC communication.

The display apparatus may further include a user input unit whichreceives a user command to display the first image data and the secondimage data together, wherein the control unit operates the display unitto display the first image data and the second image data together ifthe user commend is received.

The display apparatus may further include an on-screen display (OSD)generation unit which generates a menu to guide the user to input thecommand to display the first image data and the second image datatogether, wherein the control unit controls the OSD generation unit todisplay the generated menu.

The signal processing unit comprises a first scaler which converts thefirst image data to a resolution corresponding to a resolution of anarea for displaying the first image data, and a second scaler whichconverts the second image data to a resolution corresponding to aresolution of an area for displaying the second image data.

The first interface may receive digital image data and the secondinterface may receive analog image data.

The signal processing unit may include a first signal processing unitwhich processes the first image data, and a second signal processingunit which processes the second image data.

According to an exemplary aspect of the present invention, there isprovided a display apparatus which receives image data from two or morecomputers, the display apparatus including a display unit, a firstinterface through which first image data are received from a firstcomputer, a second interface through which second image data arereceived from a second computer, a signal processing unit whichprocesses the first image data and the second data to be displayed, anda control unit which controls the display unit to display the firstimage data and the second image data together.

The signal processing unit may include a first signal processing unitwhich processes the first image data, and a second signal processingunit which processes the second image data.

According to an exemplary aspect of the present invention, there isprovided a display apparatus which receives image data from an externaldevice, the display apparatus including a display unit, a firstinterface through which first image data are received from the externaldevice, a second interface through which second image data are receivedfrom the external device, a first scaler which converts the first imagedata to a format and resolution corresponding to an area for displayingthe first image data, a second scaler which converts the second imagedata to a format and resolution corresponding to an area for displayingthe second image data, and a control unit which controls the displayunit to display the first image data and the second image data together.

According to an exemplary aspect of the present invention, there isprovided a method for controlling a display, the method includingdetermining whether image data are received through at least one of afirst interface and a second interface from at least one computer, anddisplaying first image data and second image data together if the firstimage data are received through the first interface and the second imagedata are received through the second interface.

In the displaying operation, if image data are received through only oneof the first interface and the second interface, the received image dataare displayed.

The method may further include generating a menu in order for a user toinput a user command to display first image data received through thefirst interface and second image data received through the secondinterface together.

The method may further include transmitting the user command to thecomputer if the user command is input through the menu.

The method may further include converting the first image data receivedthrough the first interface to a resolution corresponding to aresolution of an area for displaying the first image data.

The method may further include converting the second image data receivedthrough the second interface to a resolution corresponding to aresolution of an area for displaying the second image data.

The first image data may be converted to a resolution corresponding to aresolution of an area for displaying the first image data.

The second image data may be converted to a resolution corresponding toa resolution of an area for displaying the second image data.

In the displaying operation, the image data received through the firstinterface and the image data received through the second interface maybe combined and displayed.

The method may further include receiving a user command to display thefirst image data and the second image data together if the first imagedata are received through the first interface and the second image dataare received through the second interface, wherein in the displayingoperation, the first image data and the second image data are displayedtogether if the user command is received.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above and/or other aspects of the present invention will be moreapparent by describing certain exemplary embodiments of the presentinvention with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a display system according toan exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view of a display system according toanother exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a display apparatus according to anexemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a flow chart illustrating a method of displaying two or moreimages together according to an exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 5 is a flow chart illustrating a method of displaying two or moreimages by a computer adjusting the resolution of the two or more imagesaccording to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is an example of a screen depicting a menu according to anexemplary embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 7 is a flow chart illustrating a display control method accordingto another exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

Certain exemplary embodiments of the present invention will now bedescribed in greater detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

In the following description, the same drawing reference numerals areused for the same elements even in different drawings. The mattersdefined in the description, such as detailed construction and elements,are provided to assist in a comprehensive understanding of theinvention. Thus, it is apparent that the present invention can becarried out without those specifically defined matters. Also, well-knownfunctions or constructions are not described in detail since they wouldobscure the invention with unnecessary detail.

FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a display system according toan exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The display apparatus100 can perform DDC communication with a single computer 200 through twointerfaces. A single computer may also communicate with a single displayapparatus through three or more interfaces.

If image data are input to the display apparatus 100 through aninterface A and an interface B, image data input through the interface Amay be displayed on an area A of the display apparatus 100 and imagedata input through the interface B may be displayed on an area B of thedisplay apparatus 100.

If image data are input through either the interface A or the interfaceB, the image data may be displayed on area A+B.

That is, image data input only through interface A or image data inputonly through interface B may be displayed on the entire screen (areaA+B).

FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view of a display system according toanother exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The displayapparatus 100 can perform DDC communication with two computers 200through their own interfaces. Three or more computer may alsocommunicate with a single display apparatus through their owninterfaces.

If image data are input to the display apparatus 100 through aninterface A and an interface B, image data input through the interface Amay be displayed on an area A of the display apparatus 100 and imagedata input through the interface B may be displayed on an area B of thedisplay apparatus 100.

If image data are input through the interface A or the interface B, theimage data may be displayed on area A+B.

That is, image data input only through interface A or image data inputonly through interface B may be displayed on the entire screen (areaA+B).

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of the display apparatus 100 according to anexemplary embodiment of the present invention.

The display apparatus 100 includes a D-SUB interface 110, a digitalvideo interactive (DVI) interface 120, a first signal processing unit130, a first storage unit 131, a second signal processing unit 140, asecond storage unit 141, a control unit 150, a display unit 160, acombining unit 170, an OSD generation unit 180, and a user input unit190.

The D-SUB interface 110 is connected to a computer 200 (shown in FIGS. 1and 2) through a D-SUB port and receives analog image data from thecomputer 200.

The DVI interface 120 is connected to the computer 200 through a DVIport and receives digital image data from the computer 200.

The first signal processing unit 130 converts first image datatransmitted to the display apparatus 100 through the D-SUB interface 110into image data of a displayable format and resolution, and transmitsthe converted image data to the combining unit 170. The first signalprocessing unit 130 includes an analog to digital converter (ADC) 132and a scaler 133.

The ADC 132 converts analog data into digital data, and the scaler 133performs scaling of the first image data input through the D-SUBinterface 110 so as to be adjusted to the resolution of an area fordisplaying the first image data, and transmits the scaled first imagedata to the combining unit 170.

The second signal processing unit 140 converts second image datatransmitted to the display apparatus 100 through the DVI interface 120into image data of a displayable format and resolution, and transmitsthe converted image data to the combining unit 170. The second signalprocessing unit 140 includes a Transition Minimized DifferentialSignaling (TMDS) block 142 and a scaler 143.

The TMDS block 142 converts digital data into a TMDS signal, and thescaler 143 performs scaling of the second image data input through theDVI interface 120 so as to be adjusted to the resolution of an area fordisplaying the second image data, and transmits the scaled second imagedata to the combining unit 170.

The first storage unit 131 stores Extended Display Identification Data(EDID) information of the display apparatus 100. The EDID informationincludes information regarding the resolution of an area for displayingthe first image data. The resolution information may include resolutioninformation regarding a display area when the first image data aredisplayed together with the second image data, and resolutioninformation regarding a display area when only the first image data aredisplayed.

The second storage unit 141 stores EDID information of the displayapparatus 100. The EDID information includes information regarding theresolution of an area for displaying the second image data. Theresolution information may include resolution information regarding adisplay area when the second image data are displayed together with thefirst image data, and resolution information regarding a display areawhen only the second image data are displayed.

If the combining unit 170 receives image data through only one of thefirst interface 110 and the second interface 120, the combining unit 170transmits the received image data to the display unit 160, and if thecombining unit 170 receives image data through both the first interface110 and the second interface 120, the combining unit 170 outputs thefirst image data and the second image data together to the display unit160, or combines the first image data and the second image data andoutputs them to the display unit 160.

The display unit 160 displays image data received to the displayapparatus 100, and may be a liquid crystal display (LCD), a plasmadisplay panel (PDP), or a cathode ray tube (CRT).

The OSD generation unit 180 generates as an OSD a menu which receives auser command to display the first image data and the second image datatogether.

The user input unit 190 receives the user command to display the firstimage data and the second image data together from the user. The usercommand may be input using the menu output by the OSD generation unit180. The user input unit 190 may be buttons mounted on the displayapparatus 100. The user command may also be input using a mouse (notshown) or a key board (not shown) connected to the display apparatus 100or the computer 200.

The control unit 150 determines whether the first image data or thesecond image data are received. If both the first image data and thesecond image data are received, the control unit 150 operates thecombining unit 170 so as to display the first image data and the secondimage data together. If either the first image data or the second imagedata are received, the control unit 150 operates the combining unit 170so as to display only the received image data.

The control unit 150 operates the OSD generation unit 180 to output themenu which receives the user command to display the first image data andthe second image data together, and operates the combining unit 170 todisplay the first image data and the second image data together if theuser command to display the first image data and the second image datatogether is received.

One or more of the first signal processing unit 130, the second signalprocessing unit 140, the first storage unit 131, the second storage unit141, the control unit 150, the combining unit 170, and the OSDgeneration unit 180 may be integrated together in one chip.

FIG. 4 is a flow chart illustrating a method for displaying two or moreimages together according to an exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention.

The single display apparatus 100 is connected to the single computer 200through the D-SUB interface 110 and the DVI interface 120, and thedisplay apparatus 100 includes the two signal processing units 130 and140 to process first and second image data input through the twointerfaces 110 and 120. The two signal processing units 130 and 140 maybe integrated in one chip.

Firstly, in operation 5310, the display apparatus 100 determines whetherimage data are received through both the D-SUB interface 110 and the DVIinterface 120. If image data are not received through both the D-SUBinterface 110 and the DVI interface 120 in operation S310-N, thereceived image data are adjusted to have a resolution for the displayapparatus 100 in operation 5315, and are displayed in operation 5350.The resolution for the display apparatus 100 may be a resolutioncorresponding to the entire screen (area A+B) of the display unit 160 ofthe display apparatus 100, or a resolution corresponding to a part ofscreen (area A or B) of the display unit 160.

If image data are received through both the D-SUB interface 110 and theDVI interface 120 in operation S310-Y, it is determined whether a usercommand to display the first image data and the second image datatogether is received in operation S320. If the user command is notreceived in operation S320-N, image data which is preset to be displayedon the display apparatus 100 with high priority from among the receivedimage data are adjusted to have the resolution for the display apparatus100 in operation S325, and are displayed in operation S350. The imagedata which is preset to be displayed on the display apparatus 100 withhigh priority may be digital image data or analog image data. Theresolution for the display apparatus 100 may be a resolutioncorresponding to the entire screen (area A+B) of the display unit 160 ofthe display apparatus 100, or a resolution corresponding to a part ofscreen (area A or B) of the display unit 160.

If the user command is received in operation S320-Y, the first imagedata and the second image data are adjusted, respectively, to have theresolution for each display area (area A and B) in operation S330, arecombined in operation S340, and are displayed in operation S350. Theresolution for each display area (area A or B) may be set personally bythe user.

The above process can also be applied when two or more computers 200 areconnected to a single display apparatus 100 through two interfaces orthrough three or more interfaces.

FIG. 5 is a flow chart illustrating a method for displaying two or moreimages by a computer which adjusts the resolution of the two or moreimages according to another exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention.

The single display apparatus 100 is connected to the single computer 200through the D-SUB interface 110 and the DVI interface 120, and thedisplay apparatus 100 includes the two signal processing units 130 and140 to display first and second image data input through the twointerfaces 110 and 120. The two signal processing units 130 and 140 maybe integrated in one chip.

In operation S410, the display apparatus 100 transmits EDID informationregarding the display apparatus 100 to the computer 200. The EDIDinformation may include information regarding a resolution of an areafor displaying the image data.

The resolution information may include resolution information regardinga display area when the first image data are displayed together with thesecond image data, and resolution information regarding a display areawhen only one of the first image data and the second image data aredisplayed.

Alternatively, the resolution information may include resolutioninformation regarding a display area when the second image data aredisplayed together with the first image data, and resolution informationregarding a display area when only one of the first image data and thesecond image data are displayed.

Subsequently, the display apparatus 100 determines that the first imagedata and the second image data are received together through the D-SUBinterface 110 and the DVI interface 120 in operation S420, and that auser command to display the received image data together is received inoperation S430.

If the display apparatus 100 transmits a command to display the receivedimage data together to the computer 200 in operation S440, the computer200 resets output resolution of the first image data and the secondimage data to a resolution corresponding to the resolution of displayarea for displaying with reference to the EDID information in operationS450.

If the resolution of the display apparatus 100 is 1024×768 and the sizeof each display area for displaying each image data is the same, theresolution of the display apparatus 100 included in the EDID informationmay include 512×768. Accordingly, the computer 200 can reset the outputresolution to a resolution which is most suitable for the resolution ofthe display apparatus 100 of 512×768.

If the computer 200 transmits the image data having the reset outputresolution to the display apparatus 100 in operation S460, the displayapparatus 100 performs scaling of each image data so as to be adjustedto the resolution for each display area in operation S470, combines theimage data in operation S480, and displays in operation S490.

The above process can also be applied when two or more computers 200 areconnected to a single display apparatus 100 through two interfaces orthrough three or more interfaces.

FIG. 6 is an example of a screen depicting a menu according to anexemplary embodiment of the present invention. The menu may also bedisplayed in different forms.

As described above, each interface according to an exemplary embodimentof the present invention is implemented as a D-SUB interface 110 or aDVI interface 120. Each interface may also be implemented as one ofD-SUB, DVI, USB, HDMI, and Display Port interfaces.

As described above, each interface has different type. However, multipleinterfaces may be of the same type. In addition, the first storage unit131 and the second storage unit 141 may be integrated as a singlestorage unit. Also, the scaler 133 and the scaler 143 may be integratedas a single scaler.

As described above, the display apparatus 100 is connected to thecomputer 200. However, the display apparatus 100 may be connected toexternal devices other than the computer 200.

As described above, the size of area A to display the first image datainput through the first interface is the same as the size of area B todisplay the second image data input through the second interface.However, the size of area A may be different from the size of area B.

FIG. 7 is a flow chart illustrating a display control method accordingto another exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Firstly, inoperation S710, the display apparatus determines whether image data arereceived through at least one of the first interface and the secondinterface. In operation S720, if image data are received through boththe first interface and the second interface, an image apparatusdisplays the received image data together. Accordingly, two or moreimages received by the single display apparatus can be displayedtogether.

As can be appreciated from the above description, a single monitor candisplay image data together when the monitor receives image data from asingle computer through two or more interfaces.

In addition, a single monitor can display image data together when asingle monitor receives image data from two or more computers throughtwo or more interfaces.

In addition, a single monitor can display image data together byindividually scaling each image data when a single monitor receivesimage data from an external device through two or more interfaces.

The foregoing exemplary embodiments and advantages are merely exemplaryand are not to be construed as limiting the present invention. Thepresent teaching can be readily applied to other types of apparatuses.Also, the description of the exemplary embodiments of the presentinvention is intended to be illustrative, and not to limit the scope ofthe claims, and many alternatives, modifications, and variations will beapparent to those skilled in the art.

What is claimed is:
 1. A display apparatus which receives image datafrom at least one external device, the display apparatus comprising: asingle display unit; a single interface through which first image dataare received from a first external device and through which second imagedata are received from a second external device; a signal processingunit which processes the first image data to be displayed on a firstarea of the single display unit and processes the second image data tobe displayed on a second area of the single display unit; a control unitwhich controls the display unit to display the first image data and thesecond image data together, and a combining unit which selectivelytransmits one of the processed first image data and the processed secondimage data to the display unit, when only one of the first image dataand the second image data is received by the combining unit, wherein thesignal processing unit processes the first image data in a resolutioncorresponding to the first area of the single display unit and processesthe second image data in a resolution corresponding to the second areaof the single display unit and processes the received image data in afull resolution of the single display unit when only one of the firstimage data and the second image data are received.
 2. The displayapparatus of claim 1, wherein if the first image data and the secondimage data are received together, the control unit controls the displayunit to display the first image data and the second image data together,and if only one of the first image data and the second image data arereceived, the control unit controls the display unit to display thereceived image data.
 3. The display apparatus of claim 1, furthercomprising a first storage unit which stores information regarding aresolution for an area for displaying the first image data, wherein theinformation stored in the storage unit is transmitted to the computerusing display data channel (DDC) communication.
 4. The display apparatusof claim 3, further comprising a second storage unit which storesinformation regarding a resolution for an area for displaying the secondimage data wherein the information stored in the storage unit istransmitted to the computer using DDC communication.
 5. The displayapparatus of claim 1, further comprising a user input unit whichreceives a user command to display the first image data and the secondimage data together, wherein the control unit controls the display unitto display the first image data and the second image data together ifthe user command is received.
 6. The display apparatus of claim 5,further comprising an on-screen display (OSD) generation unit whichgenerates a menu through which the user command to display the firstimage data and the second image data together is received, wherein thecontrol unit controls the OSD generation unit to display the generatedmenu.
 7. The display apparatus of claim 1, wherein the interfacecomprises; a first interface through which the first image data arereceived; and a second interface through which the second image data arereceived.